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Old 12-16-2018, 09:03 PM   #1
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Fresh Water Tank: Full. Empty. Or Inbetween?

At orientation last week we were told, and the Escape manual says... “Only travel with the fresh water tank either full or empty.” But is it all right to travel with it somewhere inbetween?

We owned at Scamp 16’er for a decade, traveling probably 30k - 40k with it. To keep the weight down, I generally put just enough fresh water in the tank to comfortably make it to the next time I felt we would have access to water. That being the case, we might have had 3 to 5 gallons in the 10 to 12 gallon tank. We keep a partially filled 3 gal jug of water in the trailer for contingencies.

Is there any reason that approach shouldn’t work with this Escape 19’er?

The pleasant lady who gave us orientation at ETI indicated a partially full take could “surge” while hard braking causing vehicle control issues. Well, it that’s the case, what about a partially fulled gas tank in the tow vehicle? I’ve never felt a problem with that. Perhaps ETI is worried about something else, like the tank being loosened by surging water?

Thank you, in advance, for you thoughts.
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Old 12-16-2018, 09:09 PM   #2
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I would think that sloshing of the water wouldn't have enough effect on vehicle handling to notice. It might stress the metal straps used to hold the tank in place however.

We have traveled with the tank full, empty, and all stages in between - for years - without issue.
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Old 12-16-2018, 09:27 PM   #3
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I would think that sloshing of the water wouldn't have enough effect on vehicle handling to notice. It might stress the metal straps used to hold the tank in place however.

We have traveled with the tank full, empty, and all stages in between - for years - without issue.
The same for us. Following that reasoning you'd have to apply the same policy to the black and grey tanks.

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Old 12-16-2018, 09:29 PM   #4
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Ditto for us. We would never really fill up unless we were boon-docking and wanted a completely full tank. So lots of time we went with half full tank. Also the less the weight, the lower the gas consumption.
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Old 12-17-2018, 02:06 AM   #5
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I traveled with it full, empty and everything in between and didn't notice any difference... Being a railroader, I can tell you a running around with a half loaded tank car is certainly annoying but even with all things being relative I still don't know why it would make a difference on an RV.
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Old 12-17-2018, 04:41 AM   #6
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Just a CYA comment, I have never noticed any impact due to 1/2 or full tanks while traveling. The nice thing with the tank being behind the axles is the ability to lower tongue weight if needed. Always weight your tongue and then make an adjustment.
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Old 12-17-2018, 06:36 AM   #7
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Have never had any issues towing no matter the level of fresh water. Usually travel with a full tank but not always possible. Reading some other camper forums I have read some real horror stories about tanks falling off while on the road and recommending traveling with empty tank so you don’t loose it. Really? As long as the bolts don’t come loose on my Escape the straps are more than capable of handling the weight.
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Old 12-17-2018, 09:22 AM   #8
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Like most here, I too travel with the tanks at varying levels. I often put just enough water for use during a trip if I know that we are going to have access to water at our destination. I do carry a spare jug most of the time.
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Old 12-17-2018, 09:48 AM   #9
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We have also traveled with different levels, while pulling our 21’ TT with our Ford F-150 Eco Boost with no effect on handling.

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Old 12-17-2018, 10:33 AM   #10
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Not sure why that is in the manual. Someone picking up a trailer needs to ask ETI their reason they have included it in the manual. Probably more a curiosity question because that isn’t something that would be done in the real world with a trailer, we have always carried water in the fresh tank and will continue to do so, but it is curious.
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Old 12-17-2018, 10:46 AM   #11
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I think the reason for the warning is that the tanks lack baffles, so material is free to slosh from side to side and front to back, which would be a real issue in a large ship, but not so much in a small RV.
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Old 12-17-2018, 11:26 AM   #12
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While we are talking about water tanks....i have owned trailers for 12 years and i think only once filled the tank. I prefer to hook up, or to fill my 2.5 gal dispenser that sits on the counter. I've been wondering if i ought to put a gallon or two in my new 17, and add a tsp of bleach. I don't like imagining what might grow in there. Thoughts? I assume I'd have to replace periodically due to degradation.
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Old 12-17-2018, 08:16 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h2owmn View Post
While we are talking about water tanks....i have owned trailers for 12 years and i think only once filled the tank. I prefer to hook up, or to fill my 2.5 gal dispenser that sits on the counter. I've been wondering if i ought to put a gallon or two in my new 17, and add a tsp of bleach. I don't like imagining what might grow in there. Thoughts? I assume I'd have to replace periodically due to degradation.
We always “sanitized” our Scamp trailer fresh water tank at the beginning of the season with bleach. Then never had a problem with the water. Plan to do the same with this Escape.
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Old 12-18-2018, 04:56 AM   #14
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I'd still sanitize a couple times a year and drain the fresh tank afterwards. Leaving a couple gallons with a little beach in the tank sounds like a good idea to me, don't think draining the tank leaves it dry.
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Old 12-18-2018, 02:10 PM   #15
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I'd still sanitize a couple times a year and drain the fresh tank afterwards. Leaving a couple gallons with a little beach in the tank sounds like a good idea to me, don't think draining the tank leaves it dry.
Make sure it is a dilute solution...what I mean is don't just pour some from the bleach bottle in....make up a gallon jug 90% water and 10% bleach AT THE MOST. Straight bleach can make the tank brittle and susceptible to cracking.
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Old 12-18-2018, 02:33 PM   #16
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I put a gallon or 2 in a bucket, add bleach, pour into the tank via a flexible funnel, fill tank.
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